Kentucky Colleges & Universities


Home of the Kentucky Derby and the birthplace of mega-Hollywood stars George Clooney and Johnny Depp, Kentucky boasts more than 75 colleges, universities and community colleges and vocational centers formally connected to the state's major business sectors.

Kentucky Colleges and Universities: Beyond the Thoroughbred, Tobacco, and Whiskey
Kentucky Technology Inc. is a university-based investment arm for technology businesses and start-ups that directs educational focus on the state's major businesses, including pharmaceuticals and light vehicle manufacturing.

Besides offering one of the country's most-generous intellectual property policies to its university faculty, Kentucky also focuses on developing programs that assist its professors in licensing, commercializing, and forming business enterprises. That translates into greater educational and career opportunities for the state's college students, officials contend.

The state's four-year colleges and universities are supported by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), which was created in 1997 by the state legislature to expand opportunities offered by the state's two-year colleges and vocational centers. Sixteen colleges and more than 65 campuses now offer two-year degrees, training certificates, and other coursework. Besides being popular with scores of new students now studying at the affiliated institutions, KCTCS is also popular with companies that tap its community colleges and institutions for workforce training and development.

Kentucky Colleges Prepare You for One of Kentucky's Many Industries
Besides its farming and equine sectors, Kentucky has a major manufacturing industry. It ranks third in the country in light vehicle production. Other items manufactured in the state include furniture, aluminum products, lumber products, machinery, textiles and iron and steel products. Although coal accounts for 85 percent of the state's mineral income, Kentucky also produces appreciable quantities of petroleum and natural gas.

The state has only two cities with populations in excess of 100,000: Louisville, with about 560,000 residents; and Lexington, with about 268,000 citizens. However, more than 400 international companies have operations in the Bluegrass State, employing more than 76,000 people there.
Campus Programs

  • DeVry University

     Campus Locations: Louisville

    DeVry University provides quality education that employers respect, and is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (ncahlc.org), the same organization that accredits many other well-known public and private schools.

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  • University of Phoenix

     Campus Locations: Louisville

    With convenient class locations as well as online learning, University of Phoenix makes quality higher education highly accessible. Whether you’re seeking an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, we can help you reach your goal while you work—and much sooner than you might expect.

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  • Strayer University

     Campus Locations: Lexington, Louisville

    Get the right foundation for your future with a degree from Strayer University. Evening, weekend and online classes are all available to meet the needs of busy adults.

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  • ITT Technical Institute

     Campus Locations: Lexington, Louisville

    With over 100 campuses nationwide and online programs offered as well, the ITT Technical Institutes may have a program that is convenient for you. ITT Tech is dedicated to teaching technology.

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  • National College

     Campus Locations: Danville, Florence, Lexington, Louisville, Pikeville, Richmond

    National College can prepare you for better career and a brighter future. Study with professional instructors and get the real-world skills it takes to succeed.

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  • Sullivan University

     Campus Locations: Ft. Knox, Lexington, Louisville, Louisville

    All the schools in the Sullivan University System focus their programs on career-specific courses only, enabling you to get the education you need faster. Click to learn more about accelerated certificate and degree programs in business, technology, medicine, design, culinary arts, and law.

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